On the Move with Barbara VanMatre

Educator sees value in staying the course

Stephen VanMatre has plenty of praises for his wife, Barbara, a
45-year-old teacher, author, consultant and "the smartest and most
dedicated human being I've ever met." He says the community has a
treasure in Barbara, a dedicated educator with a weakness for boots.

Memorable romantic evening: This past Christmas Eve, my
husband and I took a romantic walk around the block while it was
snowing. It sounded like a good idea at the time until a flash of
lightning and loud clap of thunder made us run back home. So much for
romantic!

Shopping haunts: I love to shop for silver jewelry and
southwestern decor. I've bought many beautiful pieces in the quaint
shops and American Indian reservations around the Albuquerque/Santa Fe
area in New Mexico.

Can't live without: Boots! I have 27 pairs on clip hangers in
my husband's closet.

Biggest flaw I'd like to change about myself: My husband is
an awesome public speaker. He can speak to hundreds without being
nervous, without any notes, and he almost always gets a standing
ovation. I'm terrified when I have to do a presentation.

Most marked characteristic: Kindness. I treat everyone I meet
with respect and kindness and always try to find the good in
people.

Best way to relax: I do water aerobics every day, sometimes
twice a day. The music and the water are very relaxing to me.

Favorite snack: I've been know to buy cases full of World's
Finest Chocolate bars and hide them all around the house so nobody eats
them. The other day I was cleaning out a drawer in the closet and found
three lost chocolates. It was like finding gold, and the motivation
suddenly rose to clean out more drawers.

If I had the money: I'd give it to my family, my friends and
the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. My son was diagnosed with the disease
when he was 11, and they need to find a cure.

What drives me crazy: A messy house and classroom. My house
needs to be clean and clutter-free for me to be able to relax, and my
classroom needs to be organized and neat for me to function at
school.

Rewards of job: Working as a kindergarten teacher with CCISD
for the past 25 years has been my passion. It's incredible how much a
5-year-old can learn in one school year.

Best vacation: Being married to an avid sports fan, I am
vulnerable to planning family vacations around major sporting events.
One spring break after arriving home with a car full of groceries, my
husband announced we would be leaving for Los Angeles within the hour.
The West Virginia University Mountaineers had just made it the Sweet
Sixteen. Without hotel reservations or tickets to the game, we unpacked
the groceries, packed up the kids and got on the road. Though quite
spontaneous, it was the best vacation ever.

Best advice and who gave it to me: My grandmother always said
this Spanish saying that translates to "Never stray from the main road
to take an unknown path or shortcut." In my words: Set your goals,
don't stray, and everything will be OK.

Know a woman who's on the move? Nominate her by contacting John
Powell Metz at 886-3763 or HYPERLINK mailto:metzj@caller.com
metzj@caller.com